Variable-speed mechanism.



R. M. RUCK.

VARIABLE SPED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION my) Junin, 19:4.

1,179,659. www p11 18,1919.

SHETSMSHZET l.

R. M. RUCK.

VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM.

APPLlcmoN F1LE01UN 5.1914.

1,1 79,659. Patented Apr. 18, 1916 C SHEETS-SHEET 2.

4 T fon/v5 rs 4 H. M. RUCK.

VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISIVI.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 5, I9I4. 1,179,659. Patented Apr. 1s, 19m.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W I TA1/55555.' /fwg/I/Twe Wh' www mm wam/I# ZM; M AT'R/VEYS R. M. RUCK.

VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM. APPLICATION man June 5, 19141 1,179,659. Patented Apr. 18,1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5- 1 l u .er

C) ifi/imm' R. M. RUCK.

VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM.

APPLlcAloN mso :un: 5. |914.

1,179,659. Patented Apr. 18, 1916 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Inl o FH y 'm5 n p4 o 9 INVENTO/ N g i2 'mc/Ima Mar/ways Paca fain, and South Hansi engines mechanical m'werv W'x'ch may c meffected being Cap-aide of nmzg'n imn *ima of Letters Eatent 'tion 1s:

#fief ih@ dwang@ mmm, o? fie Stm th? will; me yevolu f fivproper Sima, of

automatic timing mechanism,

y1n normal plan just mentioned) only at the proper moment and completed when once begun.

n the acompanying drawings, which illustrate a convenient arrangement of apparatus for carrying out the present invention, Figure L is a sectional side elevation of he apparatus, and Fig. 2 is a. plan view of'.

the same, the cover of the casing being removed and parts being removed or broken away for the sake of clearness. F ig. 3 is an end elevation, showing a front View of the with the parts position. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line 4--4 of Fig. l, looking in the opposite direction to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a part view showing the carrier with the oblique cams mounted therein, in relation to the rotary tappets. Fig. 6 is a similar view, showing the carrier in section, with theirwrespective operating levers. Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the automatic timing-mechanism shown in Fig. 3, with the parts in normal position, and Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the same,with one set of duplicate parts in position for effecting a change of gear. Fig. 9 is a face view of the clutclvcontrolling cam, with the associated parts in normal position, and Fig. 10 is a similar view, with the cam-abutment in position for effecting a change of gear. Fig. l1 is an elementary or `diagrammatic plan View illustrating the application of the apparatus of the present invention tothe control of a clutch and variable-speed mechanism for transmitting motion from a motor to the driving axle of'an automobile.

Referring first to Fig. 1 1, A represents a portion of the engine. One member B -of the main driving-clutch (which is shown as a friction-clutch) is fast on the engineshaft C and constitutes as usual a flywheelnfor the engine, the other member D of the clutch being splined upon a shaft E journaled in bearings so as to be permanently in alinement with the engineshaft C. Integral with the clutelrmernber D so as to bey slidable on the shaft E is a sleeve F about which is coiled a spring G held in permanent compression between a collar f on the sleeve and an abutment constituted by the bearing H for the shaft E; the spring G constantly tending to force the clutch-member D into engagement with the clutch-member B, while the position of the clutch-member D is controlled. by a lever J fulcrumed at a fixed point j.

K is the Cardan shaft, which is coupled at one end by a universal shaft E and at the other end by a similar joint 7a2-*to a Shaft L which extends through a bearing Z into the interior of the casing M which incluses the variable-speed mechanisn':4 The main shaft N of the variablespeed mechanism is iournaled at one end in a bearing formed consent-r' fally in the shaft and oblique cam-blocks` joint /c to thev L (which is made hollow for and at the opposite end is to be understood as extending into the lcasing O which in closes the differential gearing through which motion is transmitted to the respective portions O and O2 of the driving axle of the vehicle.

The lay-shaft or countershaft P of the variable-speed mechanism is in constant driving connection with the shaft L through a pair of spur-wheels p1, 222 whereof the wheel p1. is fast on the sha ft L and thenwheei p2 is fast on the shaft P. The w`ieel p1 carries one member of a dog-clutch Q whereof thevother member, which is splined upon the shaft N, has fast with it a spur-pinion r adapted to be put into gear with a spurwheel R fast on the shaft P. The dogclutch Q and pinion r, which are shown as ocupying their neutral or disengaged position, are slidable to and fro on the shaft N the purpose) under the control of a bell-crank lever S fulcrumed at s on the casing M; the shifting of the lever S in the one direction having for effect, by throwing the members of the dogclutch Q into gear with one another, to cause motion to be transmitted direct from the shaft L to the shaft N in the forward direction, whereas the shifting of the lever S in the opposite direction has for effect, by throwing the pinion r into gear with the wheel R, to cause motion to he transmitted from the shaft L to the shaft N through the medium of the wheels p1, p2, R and r, alsol in the forward direction.

Upon the shaft P are splined, so as to slide on the shaft as one, two spur pinions t1 and-t2 which are respectively adapted to be put into gear, alternatively, with spurwheels Tl and T2 both fast on the shaft-N. The pinions t1 and t2 on the shaft P under the control of a bellcrankV lever T fulcrumed at t on the casing M; kthe shifting of the lever T in the one direction having for, effect, by throwin the pinion t into gear with the wheel 1, to cause motion to be transmitted from the shaft L to the shaft N through the medium of the wheels p1, p2, t1, and T1 in the forward direction, whereas the shifting of the lever T in the opposite direction has for 'effect to cause motion to be transmitted from the shaft L to theshaft N in the reverse direction, in consequence of the pinion t2 then driving the wheel T2 through the medium of an idle wheel indicated at 3.

It is to be understood that all the parts thus far described constitute usual elements in the driving mechanism of an automobile having three speeds -of forward driving and one speed of reverse driving; the parts referred .to being shown merely in elementary form and by way of example, as they may be varied within wide limits without in any way affecting the scope of the present inare slid-able to and fro v is@ Y fr; e)

lined by the claims appended to ption. il. the several parts :ire shown in in 'fi-.ruined when the lever T has ,i from neutral position as to f suini n if into gwn, through tln` om zslirrl 35 with thol wheel T2, While ut nim timo the lnitr ,l has been so shifted i the Meinberg B, D of tho main it engiipgomont with one nl guur; this posid tho pi. iiion of those im shown :is displaced 'from in Figa. i, 2, fr, 8 and 10 Vosrrihol with reference to insicliunium of the splint to automobile uilly the Character tu visu control und mnngwlowrs in :mnh n'iiininr that thi; Vurianne-spunti i from hc shaft L rho log-clutch Q, or through i in; ,shaft l by menus l uno, 'in or rl nufl Th or t2, ulivriiutiveljf. und that during un .giiily longer than that occupied i man f umg@ ol' goin' brought about by itiiagji Ulf the rlnirigwlovoi' fi or T, tho will he? o morini und hold as to keep or D (liet-engaged from the 'uiluir l in uppi' ition to the spring tin: niuiu dirving-rlutrli B, D is 'ftuiniwi in firma 'nfao ll\i-1ti'iitel, the chungomnmctrd hy u linli '.11- rr ii fuirruniod :it u :ittmfhod io it :i rod 28 li rrilief y controlled iiiiiriiiiaii mechanism Similarly, tho changeconisoomi lijf :i link r1 iii-@5mt invention in {mini} with ratei l, to l0, onlir in boing indii L r fnuifwzsnijv for enabling 'li nt ily invention to the il ie'iviggpgreiir therein illustrated ydinnietrically-opposito if' i, li

from a ring i8 whirl) fornirti in the body @t the' ouin 1S); this cum lwin;` pl'inil upon u coutinuousl yrevoli'iui1 simili' 14!) which oxtoiulfi in the saune dir ,ion 'if ihr links 1.5, lil :iinl rotates through one f1. mphzv rorulution for each step performed (i lwroinul'iifr pliiined) by the vriuliir vil iaimn in the operation L l olringiiw such step be from neutral position or r" of the clutch-controll to coact with an uhu?. anti-friction roller Z3 which, :1t the propri pressed from und r tion so as to prefrnt withdraw it tuoni ihr pril.; o2 21, thus Causing thi^ ouin l lengthwise of the isluil't driving-clutch out of nim u lo roturn into operation )mi ifuwr uw.; inst utter the step concurnfrfiy inn-iufmmi thee variable-spoed inorlmn v u,

nt is shown as in operati* e imitioin Figs. 2 and il tnv rorkmgi' inuit li Y :is having been (in f onffeuiwuw nl posi" hun n sn; iiulisl tionr to a light spring :3G iinffiowri i the guidi 2T for tho plunger itil n; the

roller is returned to noru i cessation of the pi i downward is l'ierrinu Tho iniprowil vw' .trudy rct'urroil to i used in connvrti murnunisin of tho orf ,i tlnfsli in" typo no less than with nu: 'which the apparatus (as doscrihori in. nporiiculion No. 1,043,629) was originnllfv :mil niort' l' iociully tlosigrneil, ronipiirm. [or nach sapin rutelymiovuble geur wheul or ilquivulont element (or pair of auch niiet-is or rloinontn) constituting a momliio nimnhifi nl' tlw vari-- able-speed niechuninint n. iwf@ which muy be termed :i rrzirshiitin@ lui-r) niunn'fril on. :i Stutionury fulcrun :in i vouncxf'l'rri with :mid n'ioriililo nie-mlm) u.. tion with roforenrr if is wheel or cfuifixlunt :eirifirut f' wir porri ment of the arms G9, (and therefore of the shafts G3, (i4) and on the other hand to return to normal position whichever arm has been depressed, and thus to rock bach to normal position the corresponding shaft (l or (34.

lt will readily' be understood that in piace of the single spring 7l, serving for both shafts G3 and (Si in common, any other form of spring or springs suitably adapted I'or the purpose .may be used.

The arms G9, 70 are normallyboth held locked in the raised position, shown in Figs. 3 and 7, by means of levers 75, 7G fulcrumed at 77, 78 and provided with detents 7l), 8() which normally engage nibsv Sl, 82 on the respective arms, the mutual engagement thus normally maintained between the arms 69, 70 and levers '(5, 7G serving to retain not only the arms but also the levers themselves in normal position.

The levers 75, 7G have projections 83, 8l which are normally both engaged, from opposite directions respectively, by pins 85, 86 carried by the lateral arms 87, SS of a threearmed lever fulcrumed at 89 beneath the shaft 20, the central third arm 90 of this lever being connected by a rod 91 to a con` trolling hand-lever lV (Fig. 11) mounted at some convenient point and adapted to be angularly displaced from a mid or normal position toward one side or the other at will according as it is desired to effect an upward or` a downward change of gear in the variable-speed mechanism. 0n this controlling hand-lever SV being so displaced from 'normal position as to move the-arm 90 toward, say, the right in Fig. 3, or the left in Fig. 7 the pin S5 will press upon the projection 83 and move the lever so as to withdraw the datent 7 9 from engagement with the nib 81, the pin 86 meanwhile rising out of contact with the projection 8l on the lever 76 and therefore leaving the engagement between the detent and nib 82 undisturbed. The immediate result of the movement described is eXhibited in Fig. 8, a corresponding result being the controlling hand-lever lV beso displaced as to move the arm 9() in the opposite direction to that just mentioned.

For the purpose of returning to normal position whichever of the levers 75, 76 has been disp'laced therefrom (such return oc curring in time with the return to normal position of whichever of the arms 69. 70 and shafts G3, 6l has been displaced) the levers 75 and 7 extend toward one another alongside of the respective arms G9 and 70 and carry at their extremities anti-friction rollers 93, 9% both of which are adapted to contact with the same cam 92 fast on th6tappetshaft 2() alongside of the cam T). As will be seen on reference to Fig. S. which illustrates the action in respect of the lever 75, the disproduced, but in the converse sense, if

. into gear by its pla cement of this lever from normal position is limited by its roller 93 contacting with the cam 92 which. in the course of its revolution (during which the tappets on the shaft 20 will have done their work), restores the lever to normal position in time to lock the corresponding arm (El) immediately after the latter has been restored to normal position by the concurrent revolution of the cam 73; the return movement of the lever 75 bringing about the restoration of the controlling hand-lever lV to normal position as the re` sult of the forcible engagement of the projection 83 with the pin 95 is a separaLely-movable cover (shown in Fig. l alone) for protecting the timing mechanism which is placed externally of the main casing il: the timing-mechanism as a whole. except the cams 73 and 925, being,r mounted for convenience on a detachable plate 96.

It will now be understood that (taking a complete cycle of action of the apparatus as a whole) on the controlling hand-lever lV being displaced in either direction from normal position (which can occur only when the cam 92. in its rotation, permits displacement of the lever 7.5 or 76), the resulting movement of the three-armed lever 87, 88. will unlock the arm G9 or 70 and thus allow the rocking-sha ft 63 or 64 to turn and the abutment roller Q2 to descend into the path of the cam if), with the result that the driving-clutch B. D will be thrown out of gear, while at the same time the can1- block G5 or 6G will be depre: el into operative position. As soon as the particular tappet in whose path the cam-surface 59 or (i0 of the depressed cam-block ms been interposed has done its work (thus bringing about a movement of the siide rod 98 or 29 and e'ecting the revzpiirefl step in the operation of changinKL;y gear), the continued rotation of the cam 72% will restore the arm (if) or 70 to normal position. thus -.-.itlnlra\v ing the cam-block (15 or eti from operative position; whereupon iluj cani 22:3 will restore the lever 75 or 7f3 to normal position so to lock the arm 69 and 7i), while at the same time the abut1m\.nt-roller 2:2 will be allowed to rise out of the path of the cani 19 so that the driving-clutch l., I) will be returned spring.

From the above description it will be seen that the entire apparatus herein described for controlling both the drivingclutch and the variablespeed mechanism is in effect self-contained and wholly independent of the gearbox M which contains the change-Wheels. The apparatus mav therefore he very readily fitted or adapted to any existing automobile or similar driving-gear. the movable members of the variablespeed mechanism in the gear-box' being coupled to the sibile-rods 28, Q9 as'shown or to additional and similar slide-rods if such be required.

Obviously, various modifications' in the mechanical details of construction -may be required in adapting the operative principles of my device to various types of machines. 'Such modifications as .may be required in the mechanical construction of the operativer mechanism of the gears,A clutches or coordinating elements to thus ed to connect 'the prime mover with the va-V riable speed mechanism and means operable from the prime mover for operating the clutch and concurrently effecting a change in the variable speed mechanism, substanment,

tially as set forth.

3. The combination with a prime mover, of variable speed mechanism, a clutch, means operated by said prime mover for automatically operating said clutch andA l concurrently effecting a change in said vari able speed mechanism and manually oper-I able means for bringing said automatic means into `action at will, Asubstantially asn set forth.

4. The-combination with a prime mover and an element -to be driven thereby, of interposed variable speed n.cciianism and a clutch, and means operated by said prime mover, for automatically operating the clutch and effecting a change in the variable speed fmechanism, substantially as set forth.

5. rll'ie combination with a prime mover and an element to be driven thereby, of interposed variable speed mechanism and a clutch, means, independently 'driven from said prime mover for automatically operating said clutch and concurrently effecting a change inthe variable speed mechanism and i means, operablei at will, for bringing said` automatic means linto operation, said automatic means being adaptedto complete an operation once initiated, substantially as set forth. Y

6. The combination with a prime mover and an element to be driven thereby, of interposed variable speed mechanism and a clutch, levers for operating the variable speed mechanism and clutch respectively and cams adapted to be dri ven by said prime mover, independently of said driven elefor (automatically operating said levers and thereby opening and closing .said clutch and concurrently eii'ecting a change in said variable speed mechanism, substan tiallyas set forth.

7. The combination with a prime mover and an element to be driven thereby, of interposed variable speed mechanism and a clutch, levers for operating the variable speed mechanism and clutch respectively, cams adapted to be driven by said prime moverfindependently of said driven element,

for automatically' operating said levers and Ithereby opening and closing said clutch and concurrently effecting a change in said vari' able speed mechanism and means, operable at will for bringing said cams into operation and keeping them in operation until the automatic cycle is completed the cams being so cordinated as to open the clutch before and close it after any change in said variable speed mechanism.

8. The combination with a prime mover and an element to be driven thereby, of intei-posed variable speed mechanism and a clutch, mechanism for automatically operating the clutch concurrentlv with a change in the variable speed mechanism said clutch being adapted to open beforeand close after a change in the variable speed mechanism, a shaft driven from the prime mover independently of said driven element for operating said mechanism, manual means for bring.-

ing said automatic mechanism into operation nd means for timing and controllingr the au- YYtoinatic mechanism and said manual means, substantially as set forth..

9. The combination with a prime mover and an element to be driven thereby, of an interposed clutch, and means driven by said prime mover for automatically operating said clutch, said Vautomatic means being manually controlled, substantially as set` controlling said plunger and manual meansA coperating with said timing means to initiate a movement of said plunger at will whereby said clutch may be automatically opened and closed.

l1. The combination With a prime mover 'and an element to be driven thereby, of an interposed variable speed mechanism and a clutch, a shaft driven by said prime mover, a cam revoliible with said shaft, a plunger member coperating with said cam for controllingr said clutch, cams on said shaft for controlling the variable speed mechanism, a carrier mounted to slide parallel to said shaft carrying a pair of oppositely inclined plunger cams adapted to coperate with said last mentioned cams for reciprocating said iis carrier, a, pair of rock shafts carrying arms for operatng theV clutch plunger member and said plunger cams, timing means connected with Vsaid shaft fof controlling the operation 'f said rock shafts and manually operable means for permitting said rock shaft to be. rocked at will thereby intiing the movement of said plunger/and the opera.- tion of said clutch, substantially as set forth.

RICHARD MATTHEWS BUCK.

Ttnessest JAMES HENRY BOYD,

BERTRAM R. J. BBW. 

